Chili Crisp Cucumber Chicken Bowls (Printable Version)

Cool cucumber salad meets spicy seared chicken with crispy chili oil in these vibrant Asian fusion bowls.

# What You'll Need:

→ Creamy Cucumber Salad

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
04 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Seared Chicken

10 - 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
11 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Assembly and Garnish

16 - 4 tablespoons chili crisp
17 - 1/2 cup cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles, optional
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
19 - Extra sesame seeds for garnish
20 - Lime wedges for serving

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add chicken, toss to coat, and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
02 - Toss sliced cucumbers with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then drain excess liquid. In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey. Add cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds. Mix well and chill until ready to assemble.
03 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil if needed. Sear chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through with internal temperature reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - Divide cucumber salad among serving bowls. Top with sliced chicken. Add jasmine rice or noodles if desired. Spoon chili crisp generously over chicken and cucumbers.
05 - Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent an hour in the kitchen when you've actually only been cooking for twenty minutes.
  • The contrast between creamy, cool, and spicy creates layers of flavor that keep you reaching for another bite.
  • High in protein and naturally balanced, so you feel satisfied without the heaviness of traditional heavy bowls.
02 -
  • Draining the cucumbers is the difference between a salad and a soggy puddle; don't skip this step or your dressing becomes watered down within minutes.
  • Chili crisp tastes completely different when it's warm versus when it sits on cool ingredients, so add it right before serving rather than building the bowl ahead of time.
03 -
  • Make your chili crisp the night before if you're using homemade, so the oil has time to infuse with the heat and flavor before it hits your cool salad.
  • Chicken thighs are forgiving if you're nervous about cooking, because they stay juicy even when slightly overdone, whereas breasts become dry in seconds once they pass 165°F.
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